2300 S. St. Paul St., Denver, CO 80210
720-424-3410
Principal
As we continue to process the events at East High prior to Spring Break, I want you all to know that safety is always a top priority at UPark. Over the past few years we have continually worked to improve our safety procedures in and around UPark. First and foremost is that our building is always on a lockout status, meaning that the only way to enter the building during the school day is through the front door after being buzzed in through the office. Additionally, every visitor to UPark must come into the office and present identification that we then run through our computer system to do a quick background check. Once the check is completed visitors receive a sticker badge with their name and picture on it. 

Our emergency response team runs drills throughout the school year to ensure preparedness including monthly fire drills, lockdown drills twice a year, as well as shelter in place drills. Our Facilities Manager, Ulfeta, routinely walks the premises ensuring that all doors are properly latching. Three years ago, we installed cameras upstairs where previously there had been none, giving us camera views on both floors of the building. Cameras throughout the building are always on and displayed on a monitor in the office. They are also accessible on building administrator laptops to be seen at any time.  

The safety and wellbeing of our community is always at the forefront of our minds and we hope that some of the procedures we have in place help you feel confident sending your students safely to school each day. UPark is an incredible place to learn and grow and we cherish the time we get to spend with your amazing children. If you have any questions about our safety procedures feel free to reach out to me directly at the email address in my signature below.  
Eric Atonna
UPark Principal, Team UPark
PTA Meeting
Join Us for the February PTA Meeting- Tuesday, April 11th, 6pm

Please join us for the February PTA meeting on Tuesday, April 11th at 6:00 pm. Join us in person in the library or remotely via zoom following the link below. 

Smashburger Restaurant Night
On April 20th, from 11am-9pm, grab a burger at Smashburger in Glendale (1120 S. Colorado Blvd) and earn 20% back to support our school. Offer good for all dine-in, take-out, and phone orders.  Just remember to mention you’re with the UPark fundraiser before placing your order.  Gather the troops and spread the word and let’s eat some great food!
Pre-Register for the upcoming Online Auction (and other ways to support!)
We are thrilled to announce the return of UPARK’s annual online auction, taking place from April 20-27. This is the perfect opportunity to support both local businesses and our neighborhood school while snagging some amazing items and experiences. Here are three things you can do now:
 
1. Pre-register for the auction now: We recommend you pre-register now to receive timely communications and participate instantly when the auction goes live.
 
2. Consider donating a gift card, item, or service: We are looking for more items to add to our online auction, such as vacation homes, gift certificates, special passes or experiences, or services (e.g. graphic design, landscape design, etc). If you have something to donate, please email uparkpta@gmail.com.
 
3. Host a sign-up party: Sign-up parties (formerly called Parent Experiences) are a wonderful way to connect with the UPark community and support the spring auction efforts. We need parents (or small groups of parents) to volunteer to host a party or event. Examples of past sign-up parties include: a progressive dinner, pool party, whiskey tasting, and ice skating party. These events can be for adults, kids or families. Whether you have a specific idea in mind, or are wanting to host but needing inspiration, we can help with next steps! 
Tickets now available for Parents Night Out April 28
This year’s Parent’s Night Out gathering will be hosted at The Pioneer Bar and Grill on Friday, April 28 at 6pm. This event will mark the culmination of our online auction and is a great way to get to know other parents while supporting our wonderful school.Tickets are $40 per person and include an all-you-can-eat fajita bar, a drink of your choice, and more fun than you can handle. Come as you are and join your friends for a night of unforgettable fun in support of UPARK Elementary!

Tickets now available for purchase (click here).

Need a Babysitter for Parents Night Out? 
If you need help finding a babysitter for Parents Night Out, check out Piocare. For a flat service fee of $5, you can get access to sitters who are vetted through Piocare, most of whom are DU students or alumni. Email Maddy Gawler at maddy.gawler@gmail.com with "U Park Parents Night Out request". In the email please send her number of & ages of kids, location, pay/hr, if a car is needed, date/time, any other specific requests (e.g., allergy concerns, training requirements, etc.) 
CMAS Testing: No Library 4/10-4/21
CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success) testing for 3rd-5th grade students starts at UPark this coming week and goes through April 21st. CMAS is the state standardized testing that all Colorado students in grades 3-12 take. Please note that we will not be allowed to have visitors in the building during the 2 weeks of testing (410-4/21). We will not be holding Library during these two weeks so students will not be checking books out until the week of April 24th.

You can view additional CMAS information here.
5th Grade Shakespeare Night
All 5th Grade Students and Families, please join us for Shakespeare Night on Thursday, April 20th! The live auditorium performance schedule will be as follows:

5:00-5:45 p.m. Ms. Kull's Class
5:45-6:30 p.m. Ms. McMahon's Class

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your student's performance time and enter through the main doors on South Saint Paul Street. After students head up to their classrooms with their homeroom teachers, families may find a seat in the auditorium after the previous group exits. Please reserve the chairs for adults and have children sit on the floor in front of the stage. Students will meet their families outside the gym after changing out of costume. We ask that everyone exit through the doors to the staff parking lot on East Iliff Avenue to help us with the flow of traffic in the building. All students should make themselves available from 5:00-6:30 that evening so that we have understudies if we need to call on them, as both classes will be performing A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Green Team Water Bottle Collection Drive!
Green Team is hosting a water bottle collection drive to ensure every student at UPark has access to a reusable water bottle at school! Please bring any clean, and gently used, water bottles you would like to donate to school the first week of April. If you have any questions reach out to Green Team at uparkgreenteam@gmail.com.

A new water bottle filler was installed in the cafeteria over the Spring Break! This will provide more opportunities for students to fill reusable water bottles throughout the day and hopefully reduce waste going into landfills.
2nd Grade Service Learning Project -
As part of a community study and service learning project, second graders are planning to work with the Child Rescue Foundation and the Teddy Bear Project.
  
You can be a part of this 2nd grade project by: 
  • Collecting new or "slightly loved" stuffed animals of all kinds, not just teddy bears. 
  • Bring the animals to a second grade classroom (Rm #113, 114 or 119) or the office, anytime until April 7th.
  • With adult supervision, students can ask neighbors, friends and family to donate stuffed animals for the project.

These stuffed animals will be given to children in the Denver Community. Some organizations benefiting are Children's Hospital, Denver Rescue Mission, Tennyson Children's Home, Denver County Court Day Care and more. Our classes will hold a counting event where we will find out how many animals have been collected (i.e. how many children we've helped) through our service learning project.
 
Click here to learn more about the Child Rescue Foundation.
Health Information - Head Lice
Head lice are a common condition in school-age children—nearly 6 to 12 million get them every year. Personal hygiene and cleanliness of home, clothes, or hair, or where you live or play, have nothing to do with getting head lice. We wanted to pass along some information on head lice as there have been reported cases here at UPark.

As always, please refer to this How Sick is too Sick document if you have questions about whether your student is well enough to be at school.
Summer Connections Registration Now Open!
Registration is now open for Summer Connections, a fun five weeks where students will be exposed to content from their upcoming grade. All rising first through fifth-grade (current K-4th grade) DPS students are encouraged to apply! 
  • No cost to families.
  • Full-day programming from June 12-July 14. No school on June 19 and July 4.
  • Literacy, math, science, and hands-on learning.
  • Registration is now open! Visit Parent Portal to sign up. 
  • Summer connections spots are first come first served and registration will close when programs are full.

We encourage families to commit to the full five-week program. For more information on Summer Connections click here. For information on programs for students entering Middle School next year or for other summer programs click here.

If you have any questions, please contact EAL@dpsk12.net.
2023-24 Discovery Link Registration Opens Soon!
ENGLISH
Discovery Link's 2023-2024 School Year registration opens soon! Please mark your calendars and be logged into your SchoolCare Works account at 6:00 am, Monday, April 17, 2023, to reserve your child’s space in the program. A non-refundable, non-transferable fee ($35 for one child or $50 for a family) is due at registration.

2023-2024 PRICING:
  • AM Discovery Link $9.75
  • PM Discovery Link $17.50
  • Camp Days $51.00    

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE & DISCOUNTS:
  • Sibling Discount: Discovery Link offers a 10% discount for siblings.
  • Financial Assistance is available for those families who qualify for DPS’s Free and Reduced Lunch program. The discount is 30% off the regular tuition rate. Families who wish to utilize this discount must email a copy of their Free and Reduced Lunch authorization letter to: discovery_link@dpsk12.org. A new authorization letter is required every school year.
  • Families who qualify for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) are encouraged to apply. You can find more information and apply for CCCAP HERE!
Please call 720-423-1781 or email discovery_link@dpsk12.org with any questions.
__________________

ESPANOL
¡La inscripción para el año escolar 2023-2024 de Discovery Link se abre pronto!
Marque sus calendarios e inicie sesión en su cuenta de SchoolCare Works a las 6:00 am del lunes 17 de abril de 2023 para reservar el espacio de su hijo en el programa. Se debe pagar una tarifa no reembolsable ni transferible ($ 35 para un niño o $ 50 para una familia) al momento de la inscripción.

PRECIOS PARA 2023-2024:
  • AM Discovery Link $9.75
  • PM Discovery Link $17.50
  • Días de campamento $51.00    

ASISTENCIA FINANCIERA Y DESCUENTOS:
  • Descuento para hermanos: Discovery Link ofrece un 10 % de descuento para hermanos. El descuento se aplica al segundo hijo de una familia y a cada hijo adicional.
  • La asistencia financiera está disponible para aquellas familias que califican para el programa de almuerzo gratis o a precio reducido de DPS. El descuento es del 30% sobre la tasa de matrícula regular. Este descuento no se aplica a cargos adicionales que incluyen, entre otros: registro, excursiones, recogida tardía o asistencia no programada. Las familias que deseen utilizar este descuento deben enviar por correo electrónico una copia de su carta de autorización a: discovery_link@dpsk12.org. El descuento se aplicará una vez recibida la carta de autorización. Se requiere una nueva carta de autorización cada año escolar.
  • Se alienta a las familias que califican para el Programa de asistencia para el cuidado infantil de Colorado (CCCAP) a presentar su solicitud. ¡Puedes encontrar más información y aplicar para CCCAP AQUÍ!
  • Llame al 720-423-1781 o envíe un correo electrónico a discovery_link@dpsk12.org si tiene alguna pregunta.
University Park Elementary Calendar

To access additional calendar information click here or visit the calendar link on the University Park Website.